Golf club head having a weight positioning system

ABSTRACT

A golf club head for an iron-type club is provided. The club head includes a striking face, a slotted member and a first weight member. The striking face has a surface configured to engage a golf ball. The slotted member is positioned behind the striking face. The slotted member includes a slot network having at least two intersecting slots and at least three ends. The first weight member slidably engages the slot network to vary the position of the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/654,054, filed May 31, 2012, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf club heads. More particularly, theinvention concerns an iron-type golf club head having a weightpositioning system for modifying a position of a center of gravity ofthe golf club head.

BACKGROUND

A golf club head generally includes a substantially planar contact areafor engaging a golf ball and propelling the golf ball in an intendeddirection. One factor that determines whether the golf ball is propelledin the intended direction relates to a position of a center of gravityof the golf club head. When the center of gravity is positioned behindthe point of engagement on the contact surface, the golf ball follows agenerally straight route. When the center of gravity is positioned to aside of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may follow aroute that curves left or right, which is often referred to as a hook ora slice. Similarly, when the center of gravity is positioned above orbelow the point of engagement, the route of the golf ball may exhibit aboring or climbing trajectory.

Most conventional golf club heads have a fixed center of gravity, whichdoes not allow golfers to make adjustments to the center of gravity of agolf club head. However, a golfer may wish to make adjustments to thecenter of gravity of a particular golf club head in order to help squarethe golf club head face at impact with a golf ball. For example, agolfer may tend to misdirect the golf shot by hooking or slicing a golfshot. With this in mind, a number of systems have been developed tomodify the weight distribution of a golf club head to help square thegolf club head at impact with a golf ball. However, there still exists aneed in the art for a simplified golf club head and weight positioningsystem that modifies a golf club head's center of gravity.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned need in the prior art is satisfied by the golf clubhead of the present invention. The golf club head of the presentinvention may include a weight positioning system where the center ofgravity is adjustable.

In an embodiment of the invention, a golf club head may include a heel,a toe, and a body that extends between the toe and the heel. The golfclub head body may further include a striking face, a slotted member anda gap therebetween. The striking face provides a contact area forengaging a golf ball. The slotted member provides a weight positioningsystem including a network of slots and one or more weight members. Theweight positioning system is configured to vary the position of a centerof gravity of the golf club head with respect to the striking face.

Thus, according to certain aspects, a golf club head for an iron-typeclub is provided. The club head includes a striking face, a slottedmember and a first weight member. The striking face has a surfaceconfigured to engage a golf ball. The slotted member is positionedbehind the striking face. The slotted member includes a slot networkhaving at least two intersecting slots and at least three ends. Thefirst weight member slidably engages the slot network to vary theposition of the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect tothe striking face.

According to other aspects, the golf club head includes a striking facethat provides a contact area for engaging a golf ball and a rear cavityopposite the striking face. A slotted member extends across and enclosesthe rear cavity. The slotted member has at least two slots intersectingat a first slot intersection. A weight member slidably engages theslotted member. The weight member is movable along a first slot to varya position of a center of gravity of the golf club head.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a set of iron golf clubsincludes a plurality of increasing numbered iron golf clubs. Each of thenumbered iron golf clubs includes a golf club head as disclosed herein.

The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the presentinvention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Togain an improved understanding of the advantages and features ofnovelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptivematter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate variousembodiments and concepts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example andnot limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a golf club having a golf club head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with a slottedmember in accordance with certain aspects.

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with a slottedmember and a weight member in accordance with certain aspects.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a weight member in a slotof a slotted member as taken through section IV-IV of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A illustrates an additional rear view of a golf club head with aslotted member having a slot network configuration in accordance withcertain aspects.

FIG. 5B illustrates a further rear view of a golf club head with aslotted member having a slot network configuration in accordance withcertain aspects.

FIG. 5C illustrates a further rear view of a golf club head with aslotted member having a slot network configuration in accordance withcertain aspects.

FIG. 6A illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with multiple weightmembers positioned on a weight member in accordance with other aspects.

FIG. 6B illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with multiple weightmembers positioned on a weight member in accordance with other aspects.

FIG. 6C illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with multiple weightmembers positioned on a weight member in accordance with other aspects.

FIG. 6D illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with multiple weightmembers positioned on a weight member in accordance with other aspects.

FIG. 6E illustrates a rear view of a golf club head with multiple weightmembers positioned on a weight member in accordance with other aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various irongolf clubs in accordance with the present invention. Each golf clubincludes a golf club head with a weight positioning system for varying aposition of a center of gravity of the golf club head.

Referring to FIGS. 1—3, an embodiment of a golf club 10 includes a shaft12 and a golf club head 14. The golf club head 14 of FIG. 1 may berepresentative of an iron golf club head of the present invention. Theshaft 12 of golf club 10 may be made of various materials such as steel,titanium, graphite, or a composite material. A grip 16 may be positionedon the shaft 12 to provide a golfer with a slip resistant surface onwhich to grasp golf club 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the golf club head 14 comprises a body 15 thatincludes a heel 21 and toe 23, the body 15 extending between the heel 21and the toe 23. A hosel 22 is provided for connecting the shaft 12 ofFIG. 1 to the golf club head 14. The body 15 also includes a top portion24 and a sole portion 25. A striking face 26 extends between the topportion 24 and the sole portion 25 and between the toe 23 and the heel21. The striking face 26 provides a contact area for engaging andpropelling a golf ball in an intended direction. The striking face 26may include grooves 27 for the removal of water and grass from thestriking face 26 and/or for gripping the golf ball. As shown in FIG. 3,body 15 may include a frame 28 extending rearwardly from the strikingface 26 and at least partially around the perimeter of striking face 26.The body 15 of golf club head 14 may be constructed of various materialssuch as steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, graphite, polymers,plastics or composites.

For purposes of this disclosure and referring to FIG. 2, body 15, whichextends between heel 21 and toe 23, may be divided into three regions: aheel region 15 a, a central region 15 b and a toe region 15 c. The heelregion 15 a, the central region 15 b and the toe region 15 c may eachcomprise one-third of a total length (L) of body 15. Additionally, thesethree regions 15 a, 15 b, 15 c may be further subdivided into upper, midand lower regions. In the absence of any weight members (as will bedisclosed below), the club head 14 has a center of gravity (CG₀) locatedat a height (h_(CG)). “Upper” and “lower” are determined relative to thecenter of gravity (CG₀) of the club head 14. Further, a CG-zone (Δh),i.e., a region within ±20% of h_(CG), may be defined as a mid-region.

According to certain aspects and as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, golf clubhead 14 may include a slotted member 30 positioned behind the strikingface 26 (see FIG. 2). Slotted member 30 may extend from the heel 21 tothe toe 23. Slotted member 30 may also extend from the top 24 to thesole 25. Further, slotted member 30 may be positioned within the frame28.

Slotted member 30 is provided with an outward (rearward) facing surface31. According to some embodiments, slotted member 30 may be formed as aplate, i.e., having length and height dimensions that are significantlygreater than a thickness dimensions. Outward facing surface 31 ofslotted member 30 may be substantially planar or it may have a slightconcave or convex curvature. Slotted member 30 may have a perimeter 33that complementarily matches the shape of frame 28. Alternatively,perimeter 33 of slotted member 30 need not have the same shape as frame28. Thus, for example, slotted member 30 may be made of various shapessuch as rectangle, oval, triangle, trapezoid, square or othersymmetrical or asymmetrical shapes. Further, slotted member 30 may havea non-uniform thickness across its length and/or its width.

Slotted member 30 may be integrally formed with the golf club head 14.For example, slotted member 30 and body 15 may be formed in a singlecasting. As an alternative, slotted member 30 may be connected to theframe 28 via welding, brazing, interference fit, clamping, threadedfasteners, adhesives. Slotted member 30 may be attached to the body 15of club head 14 in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to personsof ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. Forexample, slotted member 30 may be detachably attached to body 15, oralternatively, slotted member 30 may be permanently attached to body 15.

According to certain other aspects, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS.3A and 3B, slotted member 30 includes one or more slots 32. Slots 32 aretypically formed as elongated, relatively narrow openings extending inthe length and/or height directions of slotted member 30. Slots 32 mayextend through the thickness of slotted member 30. For purposes of thisdisclosure, a slot 32 is defined as a single option pathway, i.e., aslot provides only one option for moving “forward” (and, conversely, oneoption for moving “backward”). In other words, along a single optionpathway, i.e., along a slot, one can move forward or backward only. Aplurality of slots 32 may be interconnected, so as to form a slotnetwork 34. Slot network 34 may be formed by at least two intersectingslots 32. For the purposes of this disclosure, an intersection of slotsoccurs where more than one option for moving “forward” is provided. Inother words, if there exists more than one option for moving “forward”(i.e., a fork in the road), an intersection exists. For purposed of thisdisclosure, moving “forward” at an intersection encompasses anydirection of moving other than moving back along the portion of slotthat brought one to the intersection.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, slot network 34 includes a first slot 32 a,a second slot 32 b and a third slot 32 c. First slot 32 a extendsgenerally from the heel 21 toward the toe 23 in a straight line. In thisparticular embodiment, first slot 32 a extends substantially parallel tothe ground (when the club is in a 60° address position). Further, inthis particular embodiment, first slot 32 a is approximately positionedin the mid-region (i.e., within ±20% of the height (h_(CG)) of thecenter of gravity (CG₀)). Second slot 32 b extends from a centralportion of slotted member 30 (and from an interior portion of first slot32 a) to an upper toe region of club head 14. Second slot 32 b extendsfrom first slot 32 a at an angle to first slot 32 a. Third slot 32 cextends from a substantially central portion (slightly offset to theheel-side of club head 14) of slotted member 30 (and from an interiorportion of a heel-side half of first slot 32 a) to a lower heel regionof club head 14. Third slot 32 c also extends from first slot 32 a at anangle to first slot 32 a. In this particular embodiment, second slot 32b and third slot 32 c are not aligned with one another. Further, in thisparticular embodiment, second slot 32 b and third slot 32 c extend atdiffering angles from first slot 32 a.

Slot network 34 is formed by intersecting slots 32 a, 32 b and 32 c.Further, slot network 34 is provided with a first intersection 34 a anda second intersection 34 b. First intersection 34 a occurs where slot 32a and slot 32 c join one another. Second intersection 34 b occurs whereslot 32 a and slot 32 b join one another.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 3A, slot network 34 may be provided withfour ends 36. Specifically, a first end 36 a may be located in a lowerheel region; a second end 36 b may be located in a heel region; a thirdend 36 c may be located in a toe region; and a fourth end 36 d may belocated in an upper toe region. Even further, second end 36 b and thirdend 36 c may be located within the mid-region (Δh).

As would be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, given thebenefit of this disclosure, other configurations of slot network 34 maybe provided. FIGS. 5A—5C illustrate three example embodiments. As shownin FIG. 5A, slot network 34 includes a first slot 32 a and a second slot32 b. First slot 32 a extends generally from the heel 21 toward the toe23 in a straight line. First slot 32 a is generally located with themid-region (Δh). Second slot 32 b extends from a central portion ofslotted member 30 and from a central portion of first slot 32 a to anupper toe region of club head 14. Second slot 32 b extends from firstslot 32 a at an angle to first slot 32 a. Thus, slot network 34 of theembodiment of FIG. 5A is formed by intersecting slots 32 a and 32 b.Further, slot network 34 of the embodiment of FIG. 5A is provided with afirst intersection 34 a. First intersection 34 a occurs where slot 32 aand slot 32 b join one another. Alternatively, first intersection 34 amay be considered to be located where an item moving along slot 32 a isprovided with two alternative pathways: continue along slot 32 a or turnonto slot 32 b. Even further, still referring to the embodiment of FIG.5A, slot network 34 is provided with three ends 36. Specifically, afirst end 36 a is located in the heel region within the mid-region (Δh);a second end 36 b is located in the toe region within the mid-region(Δh); and a third end 36 c is located in an upper toe region. FIG. 5Aillustrates straight slots 32.

As shown in FIG. 5B, slot network 34 includes a first slot 32 a, asecond slot 32 b and a third slot 32 c. First slot 32 a extendsgenerally from the lower heel region toward the upper toe region in astraight line. Second slot 32 b extends from a central portion ofslotted member 30 (and from an interior portion of first slot 32 a) toan upper heel region of club head 14. Second slot 32 b is curved. Thirdslot 32 c extends from a central region of slotted member (and from aninterior portion of first slot 32 a) to a lower toe region. Third slot32 c is also curved. Slot network 34 of the embodiment of FIG. 5B isformed by intersecting slots 32 a, 32 b and 32 c. This slot network 34includes first and second intersections 34 a, 34 b. Even further andstill referring to the embodiment of FIG. 5A, slot network 34 isprovided with four ends 36. Specifically, a first end 36 a is located ina lower heel region; a second end 36 b is located in upper heel region;a third end 36 c is located in the lower toe region; and a fourth end 36d is located in an upper toe region.

FIG. 5C illustrates curved slots 32 a and 32 b. Slot 32 a extends fromheel region to toe region with a concave downward curvature. To be morespecific, slot 32 a extends from lower heel region to lower toe region.Slot 32 b extends from upper heel region to upper toe region with aconcave upward curvature. Slots 32 a and 32 b tangentially converge andoverlap in the central region of slotted member 30. First and secondintersections 34 a, 34 b are formed at this overlapped region. The slotnetwork 34 of FIG. 5C is provided with four ends 36. Specifically, afirst end 36 a is located in a lower heel region; a second end 36 b islocated in upper heel region; a third end 36 c is located in the lowertoe region; and a fourth end 36 d is located in an upper toe region.

According to certain embodiments and again referring to FIG. 3A, slot 32includes a sliding surface 35. Sliding surface 35 may be provided as aseparate element (for example, an elastomeric edging) that is attachedto slots 32. Alternatively, sliding surface may be provided as acoating. Sliding surface 35 may be formed of the same or a differentmaterial from the rest of slotted member 30. For example, slotted member30 may be constructed of various materials such as steel, titanium,aluminum, tungsten, graphite, polymers, plastics or composites, andsliding surface 35 may include a low friction polymer coating. Accordingto some embodiments, sliding surface 35 is integrally formed with slot32. For example, sliding surface 35 may be provided with a finer surfacefinish than the surrounding portions of slot 32.

According to some aspects, a cavity or gap 29 may be formed betweenslotted member 30 and the back surface of striking face 26. Thus,slotted member 30 may be offset from the back surface of striking face26. Gap 29 may be visible through slot 32 (see FIG. 3A). Further, gap 29may be completely enclosed, with the exception of the slot openings. Inother words, in some embodiments, the only access to gap 29 may be viaslot network 34.

According to further aspects, and as shown in FIG. 3B, slotted member 30may accommodate a weight member 40 configured for movement along slot32. According to other aspects and referring to FIG. 4, weight member 40may include a shank 42 configured to slidingly engage slot 32. A slidingaxis 43 of weight member 40 may be coincident with a longitudinal axisof the shank 42. Weight portions 44 may be located on either end (orboth ends) of shank 42 and on either side (or both sides) (outwardfacing or inward facing) of slotted member 30. According to someembodiments, weight member 40 has a majority of its mass located on theside of slotted member 30 that is opposite to an outward facing surface31. In these embodiments, the weight member 40 is securely positionedbehind slotted member 30 and is less visually obvious. Otherconfigurations of weight member 40, as would be apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art given the benefits of this disclosure, may beprovided. For example, weight member 40 may be provided as a multiplesubcomponents (i.e., inner shank portion, outer shank portion, innerweight portion, outer weight portion, etc.) that are subsequentlyassembly to form weight member 40.

According to other aspects, weight member 40 may include a locking orclamping feature 46. Locking feature 46 fixes weight member 40 toslotted member 30, such that weight member 40 no longer slides freelywithin slots 32. For example, a set screw within shank 42 may drawlocking feature 46 and weight portions 44 positioned on opposite sidesof slotted member 30 towards each other, such that slotted member 30becomes clamped between the weight portions 44 and weight member 40becomes immobile. Other configurations of locking feature 46, as wouldbe apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art given the benefitsof this disclosure, may be provided. For example, locking feature 46 maybe a locking pin.

Those skilled in the art will realize that weight member 40 may be madeof various shapes such as rectangle, oval, triangle, trapezoid, squareor other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes. Weight member 40 may becentered on its sliding axis 43. In alternative embodiments, weightmember 40 need not be centered on its sliding axis. For example, weightmember 40 may be provided with an elliptical shape and the sliding axisextending through an end of the ellipse (as opposed to the center of theellipse). Such an off-center, elliptical shaped weight member 40 may berotated around its sliding axis 43 to vary the position of the center ofgravity of golf club head 14 without having to slide the weight member40 along slot 32. This feature may be used to “fine tune” the massproperties of the club head 14. For example, rotating an off-center,elliptical shaped weight member 40 such that the bulk of the weight isabove the sliding axis would raise the center of gravity of golf clubhead 14. As noted above, raising the center of gravity of golf club head14 allows a golfer to propel a golf ball with a lower and morecontrolled trajectory. Conversely, rotating and positioning the bulk ofthe off-center, elliptical shaped weight member 40 below the slidingaxis lowers the center of gravity of golf club head 14. Lowering thecenter of gravity of golf club head 14 generally allows a golfer topropel a golf ball with additional loft.

Weight member 40 may also be made of various materials such as stainlesssteel, carbon steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, graphite, polymers,plastics or composites. In addition, weight member 40 may beinterchangeable with a plurality of alternative weights having differentshapes and masses as compared to weight member 40. Those skilled in theart will also realize that more than one weight member 40 may beattached to slotted member 30.

During the game of golf, an individual holds grip 16 and swings golfclub 10 such that golf club head 14 traverses a generally arcuate pathand impacts a golf ball. A portion of the inertia of golf club 10, andparticularly the inertia of golf club head 14, is then transferred tothe golf ball and propels the golf ball toward an intended target. Theposition of a center of gravity of head 14 has an influence upon whetherthe golf ball curves right, curves left, or follows a generally straightroute. More specifically, the golf ball follows a generally straightroute when the center of gravity is positioned behind the point ofengagement on striking face 26. When the center of gravity is positionedto one side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball mayfollow a route that curves left or right. The position of the center ofgravity of golf club head 14 also has an influence upon whether the golfball exhibits a boring or climbing trajectory, depending upon whetherthe center of gravity is positioned above or below the point ofengagement on striking face 26.

Although the concepts behind utilizing a golf club to propel a golf balltoward an intended target appear simplistic, the actual practice ofpropelling the golf ball in an intended manner is exceedingly complex.The golf ball may, for example, consistently curve right when, in fact,the individual intends to propel the golf ball along a straight route.Many conventional golf club heads have a center of gravity located atthe striking face 26. However, changing the position of the center ofgravity of the golf club head 14 for different golf clubs may assistmany golfers in squaring the club head face 14 upon impact with a golfball. The positioning of the center of gravity off of the striking face26 and towards the rear of the golf club head 14 may conform to thestyle and preferences of many golfers. Accordingly, these golfers may beable to correct or modify the route of the golf ball by using the golfclub head 14 of the present invention as the center of gravity of golfclub head 14 is repositioned with respect to striking face 26 ascompared to other golf club heads.

The center of gravity of golf club head 14, otherwise referred to as thecenter of mass, is defined as an equilibrium point. The center ofgravity of golf club head 14 may be changed by altering the weightdistribution of the golf club head 14 away from the striking face 26.Altering the weight distribution of golf club head 14 may beaccomplished with the use of slotted member 30 and weight member 40 ofthe present invention.

Slotted member 30 and weight member 40 increase the weight of the backof the golf club head 14 relative to the striking face 26 of the golfclub head 14. This increase in weight towards the rear of golf club head14 alters the center of gravity of golf club head 14. By moving thecenter of gravity lower and towards the rear of the golf club head 14, agolf shot will tend to have an increased loft upon impact. By moving thecenter of gravity higher and towards the rear of the golf club head 14,a golf shot will tend to have a decreased loft upon impact.

In addition, the shape and location of slotted member 30 and weightmember 40 may also influence the location of the center of gravity ofgolf club head 14. For example, on the longer iron clubs, two ironthrough five iron, it is desirable to have the center of gravity lowerthan on the shorter iron clubs. On the longer iron clubs, a lower centerof gravity will assist a golfer with obtaining additional loft on theirgolf shot. Therefore, the slotted member 30 for longer iron clubs may bepositioned lower on the rear of the golf club head body 14 as comparedto a slotted member 30 on shorter iron clubs.

Moving the center of gravity of golf club head 14 may be accomplishedthrough the use of weight member 40. Weight member 40 increases theweight of the back of the golf club head 14 relative to the strikingface 26. The increase in weight to the back of golf club head 14relative to the striking face 26 alters the center of gravity of golfclub head 14. In particular, moving the center of gravity of golf clubhead 14 relative to the striking face 26 may help the golfer drive agolf ball to the left or right of the fairway.

According to certain aspects, more than one weight member 40 may beprovided with club head 14 for adjustable and slidable attachment toslotted member 30. FIGS. 6A—6E illustrate additional embodiments inwhich a plurality of weights 40 may be attached to a sliding member 30in any number of configurations. Each of the plurality of weight members40 may be independently moved to adjust the center of gravity of clubhead 14. By moving weight members 40 to different locations on slotnetwork 34, as shown in FIGS. 6A—6E, the position of the center ofgravity of a golf club head with respect to the striking face is varied.Interestingly, any of the plurality of weight members 40 may be slidablypositioned anywhere in slot network 34 without having to remove any ofthe other of the weight members 40 from the slot network. This isbecause, weight members that would otherwise be in the way, may betemporarily placed in a “side slot” such that the weight member ofinterest may be located where desired.

For example, FIG. 6A shows a first weight member 40 a located towards anupper toe region of golf club head 14 and a second weight member 40 blocated towards a lower toe region of club head 14. The location ofweight members 40 a, 40 b towards the toe 23 will tend to drive a golfball towards the right of a fairway.

In FIG. 6B, a first weight member 40 a is located towards an upper heelregion of the golf club head 14 and a second weight member 40 b islocated towards a lower heel region of club head 14. The weight members40 a, 40 b as depicted in FIG. 6B will tend to drive a golf ball towardthe left of the fairway.

In FIG. 6C, a first weight member 40 a is fixed near upper toe regionand a second weight member 40 b is fixed near the upper heel region ofclub head 14.

In FIG. 6D, a first weight member 40 a is fixed near the center of clubhead 14 and a second weight member 40 b is fixed near the lower centerportion of club head 14. Such a weight distribution may tend to producea balanced shot directing the golf ball along a straight route towardsthe middle of the fairway.

In FIG. 6E, a first weight member 40 a is fixed near the lower centerportion of club head 14 and a second weight member 40 b is fixed nearthe lower heel region of club head 14.

According to certain embodiments, weight members 40 may be positioned atset, incremental locations along slots 32 of slotted member 30.Alternatively, weights members 40 may be continuously positionable alongslots 32. Furthermore, more than two weight members 40 may be moveablyconnected to slotted member 30, thereby adding additional weight to backof the club head 14 and further shifting the position of the center ofgravity of golf club head 14. Thus, given the benefit of thisdisclosure, a person of skill in the art would realize that variousother combinations of slotted members 30 and weight members 40 arepossible.

Further, according to certain embodiments, the first and second weightmembers 40 may have the same mass and the same shape. Alternatively, thefirst and second weight members 40 may have different masses and/ordifferent shapes. A golfer utilizing the golf club head 14 may positionthe various weight members 40 in multiple various locations along slots32 of slot network 34. Weight members 40 may have individual massesranging from 10 gm to 60 gm, from 10 gm to 50 gm, or even from 10 gm to25 gm.

Golf club heads 14 of the present invention may be incorporated into aset of iron golf clubs. For example, the present invention may be usedwith a plurality of increasing numbered iron golf clubs such as a twoiron, a three iron, a four iron, a five iron, a six iron, a seven iron,an eight iron, a nine iron, and a pitching wedge. With the presentinvention, a golfer may modify the position of center of gravity foreach golf club to meet their unique requirements or playing style.

Various aspects of the present invention have been disclosed herein andvarious embodiments have been illustrated and referenced in theaccompanying drawings. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, isto provide an example of the various features and concepts related tothe invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that numerous variations andmodifications may be made to the various embodiments described abovewithout departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined bythe appended claims.

1. A golf club head for an iron-type club, the club head comprising: astriking face, the striking face having a surface configured to engage agolf ball; a slotted member positioned behind the striking face, theslotted member including a slot network having at least two intersectingslots and at least three ends; and a first weight member slidablyengaging the slot network to vary the position of the center of gravityof the golf club head with respect to the striking face.
 2. The golfclub head of claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between the striking faceand the slotted member.
 3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein theonly access to the gap is via the slot network.
 4. (canceled) 5.(canceled)
 6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least one of theends is located in a heel region and at least one of the ends is locatedin a toe region.
 7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the ends is located in a heel region, at least one of the ends islocated in a mid-region of a toe region, and at least one of the ends islocated in an upper toe region.
 8. The golf club head of claim 1,wherein at least one of the ends is located in a heel region, at leastone of the ends is located in a toe region, and at least one of the endsis located in a center region.
 9. The golf club head of claim 1, whereinat least one of the ends is located in a lower center region. 10.(canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The golfclub head of claim 1, wherein the first weight member includes a lockingfeature for fixing the weight member to a location in the slot network.20. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first weight memberincludes a sliding axis and wherein the mass of the weight member is notsymmetrical with respect to the sliding axis.
 21. The golf club head ofclaim 1, further including a second weight member slidably engaging theslot network to vary the position of the center of gravity of the golfclub head with respect to the striking face.
 22. The golf club head ofclaim 21, wherein the first weight member can be slidably positionedanywhere in the slot network without having to remove the second weightmember from the slot network.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein the slotted member is detachably joined to theremainder of the club head.
 25. The golf club head of claim 1, whereinthe first weight member has a majority of its mass located on the sideof the slotted member that is opposite to an outward facing surface. 26.A golf club head for an iron-type club, the club head comprising: astriking face that provides a contact area for engaging a golf ball; arear cavity opposite the striking face; a slotted member extendingacross and enclosing the rear cavity, the slotted member having at leasttwo slots intersecting at a first slot intersection; and a weight memberslidably engaged to the slotted member, the weight member being movablealong a first slot to vary a position of a center of gravity of the golfclub head.
 27. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the slottedmember further includes at least three slots.
 28. The golf club head ofclaim 26, wherein the slotted member further includes at least two slotintersections.
 29. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein a gap isdefined between the striking face and the slotted member.
 30. (canceled)31. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the slot network includes atleast three ends and wherein at least one of the ends is located in alower center region.
 32. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein theslotted network includes at least four ends.
 33. (canceled) 34.(canceled)
 35. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the first weightmember includes a locking feature for fixing the weight member to alocation in the slot network.
 36. The golf club head of claim 26,wherein the first weight member includes a sliding axis and wherein themass of the weight member is not symmetrical with respect to the slidingaxis.
 37. The golf club head of claim 26, further including a secondweight member slidably engaging the slot network to vary the position ofthe center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the strikingface.
 38. (canceled)
 39. A set of iron golf clubs, the set including aplurality of increasing numbered irons, one or more of the irons has aclub head comprising: a striking face, the striking face having asurface configured to engage a golf ball; a slotted member positionedbehind the striking face, the slotted member including a slot networkhaving at least two intersecting slots and at least three ends; and afirst weight member slidably engaging the slot network to vary theposition of the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect tothe striking face.
 40. (canceled)
 41. (canceled)
 42. (canceled) 43.(canceled)
 44. (canceled)
 45. The set of clubs of claim 39, wherein thefirst weight member is slidably movable to any of the ends. 46.(canceled)
 47. (canceled)
 48. The set of clubs of claim 39, furtherincluding a second weight member slidably engaging the slot network tovary the position of the center of gravity of the golf club head withrespect to the striking face.
 49. (canceled)
 50. (canceled)